Helping Businesses Comply With the Data Protection Act
Any business that processes personal information in the UK must notify the Information Commissioner's Office, follow the principles set out in the Data Protection Act and comply with all applicable regulations.
Pearne & Co helps businesses navigate the data protection minefield. Our lawyers help clients understand what they need to do and why. We assess the type of information you are or will be processing and help you develop a plan for efficient and cost-effective reporting and regulatory compliance.
You may not need a lawyer. In many cases, business owners can fulfill their data protection obligations themselves. Our lawyers will walk you through the reporting process and advise you on how to organise your business practices so you can manage these tasks yourself.
What Information is Protected?
It is nearly impossible to do business without processing the personal information of others such as suppliers, clients, customers or employees. Personal information is any data that identifies a living individual, such as their name and address, along with any other information that is linked to it. This might include phone numbers, credit card numbers, financial records, medical records and other data.
The act of information processing may include reading the information, using it to bill the client, or simply to deliver a purchased product or service. The information may be in electronic form, on a computer, or on paper records.
Limitations on Use of Information
Personal information must be used fairly and lawfully. It can only be used for the purpose for which the person who owns it expects it to be used. For example, when you are purchasing shoes, you are not expecting your name and address to be sold to someone who will call and try to sell you a holiday cottage.
Our solicitors can advise you regarding what information you can gather, what you can do with that information, how long you can hold it, how you should dispose of it and all other issues relating to data protection and the privacy of personal information.
To arrange a free consultation about developing your own data privacy policy and information handling processes, please contact Pearne & Co by e-mail or call 0800 046 1476. From offices in Cheltenham, we represent clients throughout England and Wales.
